Figure toy



J. G. BAKER FIGURE TOY Nov, 19, 1935.

Filed-Feb. 20, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l grill/ll!!! VIII/6 INVENTOR L/0/m G. B'a/fen I f B ATTORNEY AIIIII/l/ A A Patented Nov. 19,1935

PATENT Fm 2,021,583 moons 'ror. some G. Baker, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application February 20, 1935, Serial at. 1,372 22 Claims. (01. 4 -134) out during the course of the description thereof.

In practicing my invention, I provide a figure toy having a torso on which arms and legs are so mounted that either the arms or the legs or both can be moved relatively to the torso. Resilient directional means connecting two of three parts of the figure tending to yieldingly hold the arms or the legs or both extended relatively to the torso, are also provided. In the one-form of device embodying my invention I connect the' rounded inner ends of the arms and 'legs by oppositely extending or crossed initially-deformed 25 leaf springs. In another modification I- provide also an energy storing means inthe hollow torso, which means may be made effective by manipulation of the toy betore use thereof.

In the drawings, 30 Figure 1 is a view, in side elevationyof a figure toy embodying my invention and shown in three consecutive positions when in operation,

Fig. 2 is a view of the device shown in Fig. 1,

I also in side elevation, in three other consecutive 35 positions during operation as a manually actuated device,

Fig. 31s a view, in side-elevation, "of the device shown'in Fig. 1, illustrating three different positions of the figure when operating automatically.

40- on an inclined plane surface.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a view, in side elevation, of a flexible 4 connector for two of the parts of the figure;

' Fig. 6 is a view, in side elevation, with portions cut away, of'a modification of the device embodying myinvention, 3

Fig. '1 is a vertical sectional view of the device "shown in 6,taken on the line VII-4711 of Fig. L

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of device'embodying my invention,

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of another modification of device embodying my invention.

Fig, 10 is-a vertical sectional view of still another modification of. device embodying my in-.

vention. and

Fig. 11 illustrates a modification of a connect- 60' mgdevice.

Referring to Figs. 1' and 4, I have there shown a jointed figure toy comprising a torso I I, arms 13, and legs IS. The torso is made to resemble a. human body and may be made of a properly shaped piece of suitable material, such as a piece 5 of wood or other substance, such as molded compound. I provide two arms l3, one on each side of the torso, pivotaily secured thereto as by means 'of a through pin I'Land having an end member I! extending laterally thereacross' at the outer ends to represent hands. This end member is made flat and extends at substantially right angles to the arms, andmay have a layer of cloth 2| or other material having a. rough surface glued. thereonto afford greater friction on or relatively 15 to a surface on which the toy may be operated.

The legs l5 are also pivotally mounted on the torso as by means of a pivot pin 23, and have .an end piece 25 extending at right angles thereto to simulate feet. A sheet of cloth 21 may be glued to the outer surface of the member 25 to increase the friction between the feet and a surface on which the toy is operated when in use. Spacing washers 20 are located between the torso and the arms and legs to reduce the area of con- 25 tacting surface and of the friction. The inner ends of the arms and legs are rounded circularly as shown, on a radius whose center is the pivot Pin. I provide a directional, resilient means con- 3 necting two of the three parts of the figure, in the formof two leaf springs 28, shown particularly in Fig. 5 of the drawings, each of which is initially deformed to substantially the shape shown in the. full lines of that figure, and each of which connect an arm and a leg onone side of the figure, as shown. The position of the springs on the two sides of the figure is different in that they cross each other, the ends of the springs being connected fixedly to the edges of 40 the arm and leg by means of small screws 3|. It will be noted that the initial radius of curvature of the end portions oi. the leaf springs 20 when free is notnecessarily the same as that of the respective arcuate edge portions of the arm andleg members of the figure against which they are located. This means of connecting the arms and legs of'thfe figure ensures that all oil the portions or parts of the figure will be yieldingly held in a predetermined allnement, which position may be that shown by the full lines of Fig. 1 of the drawings, that is where the figure is substantially erect, with the arms upraised.

While the springs 29 serve as an alining means for the several parts of the figure, they serve also as a gearconnection between the arms and legs to cause them to move in unison or to have substantially the 'same angular displacement relativeiy to the torso, but in opposite directions. Afigure of this kindcan be made to somersault e0 or turnover and over on a level'plane surface 33 by being pulled manually, and for this pur-' ator, as by the use of a string tied to the bail or loop'35, on a level even plane 33, the figure will turn end for end; certain sequential positions of the figure being shown in Fig. l in which the full lines show the position from which the figure will start when set up on its feet. position shown by the long and short lines, and indicated by the numeral 31, the arms I 3 have moved through substantially 90 degrees, while the torso H has moved through only one half of this angular or turning movement, or substantially 45 degrees. In the next position shown, indicated by the short lines, and designated by the numeral 33, the arms have moved through an angle of substantially 180 degrees, while the torso has moved through only 90 degrees from the original position where all of three parts of the figure were in substantially straightalinement and erect.

If the operator continues pulling on the ball 35, the figure will now move from the position 33 to the position indicated by the short lines inFig. 2 of the drawings and designated by the numeral 4|, where the hands l3 are resting on the surface 33 and the feet and legs are just beginning to raise upwardly as shown. In the next position designated by the numeral", the feet l5 have been turned to a position such that the legs are substantially horizontal and pointing backward, it being noted that the torso has again been turned through about one half of the angular movement of the legs, that is through about 45 degrees.

the figure is that indicated by the full lines and The next position shown in 23, namely the one nearer the observer, was

wound to a greater extent around the arcuate upper end of the leg to which it is secured and was unwound from the arcuate inner end of the arm to which its upper end is connected, the opposite spring 23 having simultaneously been unwound from the rounded upper end ofthe leg and wound to a greater extent around the arcuate inner end (or shoulder portion) of the arm to which its end is secured during the movement of the figure to the position indicated by numeral 33. That is, as the device is moved toward the right, as pulled by the ball 35, the arms l3 begin to rotate in a clockwise direction around the pivot pin II. In so doing the spring 23, nearer the observer, is unwound from or is moved out of engagement with the lower arcuate surface of the arm to which one end of it is attached and is wound upon 'or moved into engagement with the upper arcuatesurface of the leg to which the other end of it isattached.

At the same time, the other spring 23, on the side opposite from the observer, is wound upon or moved into engagement with the lower arcuate surface of the arm to which one end of it is attached and is unwound from or moved out of engagement with the upper arcuatesurfate of the leg to which the other end of it is attached. The arms l3 then rotate at a uniform speed around the pivot pin l'l and,' at the same time,

In the' the torso H rotates about the pivot pin 23 until the position 33 is reached.

In that part of the turning movement shown more particularly in Fig. 2, the near spring 25 is unwound from the leg and wound on the arm, 5 I

until the lengths of surface engagement of, a spring 23'and the arcuate surfaces of the arm and leg, to which it is connected are again equal when the figure is standing, so to speak, on its hands..

' The springs 23 are so designed and propor-.' tioned as to substantially counteract the effect of gravity in its attempt to'lower the center of gravity of the figure. Because of this the motion of the figure as described has little resistance 111.15

excess of that due to the friction of the assem-,

bly. It is diflicult tobalance the force of'the.

operation thereof si ce it results" only in the speedfgn 1 of the turning mo ement being different at any given position than would be the case if exact counterbalance were present. 1 Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, I have there shown the jointed figure toy H as being automatically operative on a downwardly slopy ing lane surface 41. If the downward slope of the plane surface is sufiicient the figure will fall forwardly, so to speak. The action of gravity on the jointed figure, when operating on a 'downin wardly sloping plane surface, can be divided into two components, one component acting,as' before, at right angles to the, surface supporting the figure, while' the other component acts par-.-

allel thereto, in the same way as the pull on the 35 1 string by the operator with the jointed figure I located on a level surface, which need not be. exactly horizontal.

, When the jointed figure is operated on a level surface the operator provides suflicient force to 40 overcome the incidental frictional resistance. On the other hand when the figure isplaced on a downwardly sloping surface the operation of the figure is entirely automatic. In the latter case the component of gravity acting parallel to the sloping surface performs the same function as the pull of the operator in the former case.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a. figure toy that is auto-' matic in that it will flip over on a level plane surface. The jointed figure comprises a hollow torso 5|, arms 53, hands 55, legs 51, andfeet 53,--the arms, hands, legs and feet being substantially the same as were hereinbefore-described for the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The torso 5I' may comprise a main portion 3| having a circular recess 33 therein and a cover plate 35. The arms 53 are each pivotally mounted on the torso by pivot .pins 31, which are so designed and mounted as to feet respectively to increase the friction thereof relatively to the plane surface on which the toy operates, although I have found this is not a isin the form of a segment of a circle to obtain the weight in a relatively small volume at a distance as great as possible from the axis of suspension of the weight.

are provided to connect the arm and leg on one side of the torso, two such springs being provided in substantially the same manner as heretofore The figure toy shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is operated in the following manner: as the figure is desired to, move forwardly the spring 19 wound up by an operator grasping the entire figure and giving it a rotational motion in a clockwise direction until the spring has been wound up as much as can be done, by causing the weight to-move around the shaft 13,- The player now sets the figure down on a level even plane and the woundup spring 19 tends to move the weight in a. counter clockwise direction, which tends to unbalance the figure and cause it to fall or move forwardly *on its feet and legs. Or to put it in other words, since the spring has one of its ends connected pivotally to the torso, the torso will be caused to turn in a clockwise direction on the pivot pins 69. The figure will operate automatically in substantially the same manner as was hereinbeiore described for the form of device illustrated in Figs.

1, 2, and 3, the turning movement continuing until the spring I9 has been substantially completely,

unwound.

v there illustrated a modified form of device embodying my invention, based more particularly on the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. A substantially solid body or torso 9! has pivotally mounted thereon a pair of arms 83, having hands 95 secured thereon, legs 91 with feet 99 thereon, the hands and feet having an outer rough surface llll thereon as has already been described. ,Pivot pins I03 and I05 mount the. arms and legs respectively on the torso. Straps or strips III! of flexible but inextensible material are provided to connect the respective arm and leg on each side of the figure.

as already described, and may be said to gea the respective arms and legs together. The directional alining force is supplied by a spiral spring I", which has one and connected to one leg, and

its other end connected to the torso as by a pin Iii. Spacer plates and washers. Land 5 are provided as has already been set forth in connection with the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

i The spiral spring Hi9 provides the desired. directional force to hold the three parts of the figure in predetermined alinement, which in the case of a device simulating the human figure is that shown where the arms. legs and the torso are substantial straight alinement. 1

Another modification of the device embodying myinvention is shown in Fig. 9 of thedrawins' and which differs from those already described by the use of a directional element inthe shape of a helical spring ill whose ends are-.connected-to small screw eyes H9 screwed into an arm and a. leg respectively on one side of the figure, with a small initial tension. In all other details it is the same as that shown in Fig.8..

Fig. of the drawings shows still another mod .5 Y

"of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 83 of Figs. 6 and 7, I09 of Fig. 8, H1 of Fig. 9, and I2! ofjFig. 10 tend to yieldingly hold the three parts of the associated figure in predetermined alinemen't cooperating, of course,'with the straps or'strips connecting the arms and. legs in pairs as set forth. The spring I09 of Fig. 8 can be so located as to connect the torso and the arms, that is, the spring I09 will surround the pivot pin I03. 'I'hie devices shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 will operate in the same manner .as has already been set forth in connection with the device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, on either a level even surface or on a. downwardly sloping surface.

It is to be noted also that any other equivalent' I connecting means for the respective arm and leg ing provided with meshing teeth I29 and l3l respectively. 'Where the figure is made of wood I find it desirable to use the strap connections between the arm and leg members but in case of thin metal figures it may be desirable to use teeth as shown in this figure of the drawings. 40

It is obvious that the device embodying my invention provides a relatively 'simple figure toy comprising a small number of component parts so connected that it is possible to operate the figure either on a level surface by an external pull or on an inclined surface, or in a modification of; the device, it can be operated by power stored therein by a player or operator.

While I have illustrated and described several modifications of a device embodying my invention, I do not desire to be limited thereto, the invention in its broadest aspect being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my inventionz- 1. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs movably mounted on the torso and means operatively associated with' the arms and legs for insuring that the angular displacement of the legs relatively to the torso shall be substantially .equal and opposite to that of the arms.

. 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the 'means operatively associated with the arms and 4. A figure toy, comprising. torso, armsand legs, means pivotally mounting the'arms and legs on the torso and resilient means extending be- ."tween and connecting twooi said parts of the figure; to yieldingly hold the three parts of the figure in substantial alin'ement. 7

' 5. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs, means pivotally mounting the arms and legs on the torso, and springs connecting the arms and' the legs and efiective to yieldingly hold the. three parts of the figure in alinement and to insure equal and opposite angular movementof the arms and legs.

6. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms ,and

, less. means pivotally mounting the arms and legs on the torso, and initially deformed leaf springs connecting the arms and legs and efl'ective to hold the three parts of the figure in alinement.

7. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs, means pivotally mounting the arms and legs on 'the torso, and a pair of oppositely-extending initially deformed springs each connecting an arm and. leg to hold the three parts of the figure normally in predetermined alinement,

; 8 A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs, means pivotally' mounting the arms and 9. A figure toy comprising a central part and two;end parts extending radially from the central part, means pivotally mounting the end parts on the central part, and means operatively connecting two of said parts of the figure to effect substantially twice the angular movement of one end part relatively to the angular movement of the'central part while the other end part remains stationary.

i '10. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and 35. 'legs mounted on the torso, resilient directional ymeans extending between and connecting two lparts of the figure to yieldingly hold all the parts *finpredetermined alinement, an energy storing umeans in the torso and means operatively connecting said energystoring means to the torso.

,. 11, A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs pivotally mounted on thetorso, resilient di- 'rectional means extending between and connecting two parts of the figure to yieldingly hold all the parts of the figure in predetermined alinement, an energy storing means in the torso including a spring and a wokht operatively associated with each other and with the torso to cause motion of the figure. v 12. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs pivotally mounted on the torso, resilient directional means extending between and con- -necting two of the figure to yieldingly hold all the parts of the figure in predetermined alinemm, an .energy storing means in the torso ineluding a helical spring having one, end fixed in the torso and a weight located eccentric to the spring and engaged by the other end thereof. 13. Afigure toy comprising a hollow torso havto ing a substantially central shaft therein, and arms and legs pivotally mounted on the torso, resilient directional means extending between and conholdall the parts in predeterminedalinement, a

65 weight-inthe tbrsolocated eccentricto the shaft A and pivotally mounted, on the shaftand a helical spring surroundings-,the-shaft and having one end fixed inthe torso and the othenend operatively eonnectedtotheweight: 1 7o 14. A figure toy comprising a hollow torso having a substantially central shaft therein, and.

smiles: pivotally mounted on the torso,

directional means including a 'pair of: crossed initially deformed leaf springs having their ends secured to the respective pair of arms and legs to yieldingly hold all of the parts of the figure in predetermined alinement, a weight in the torso eccentric to the shaft and pivotally mounted on 5 the shaft and a helical spring surrounding the shaft and having one end fixed in the torso and the other end operatively connected to the weight.

15. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs movably mounted on the torso, means oper- 10 atively associated with the arms and the legs to ensure that the angular displacement of the legs relative to the torso shall be substantially equal and opposite to that of. the arms and means for yieldingly holding arms, legs and torso in predeterrnined alinement.

16. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and legs movably mounted on' the torso, means operatively associated withthe arms and legs toensure that the angular displacement of the legs 20 relative to the torso shalt-be substantially equal and opposite to that of the arms, for yieldingly holding the arms, legs and torso in predetermined alinement, means for storing elastic en- I v ergy in the figure and means to release theelastic 25 energy to cause the toy to turn over and over.

.17. A device asset forth in claim 16 in which the. means for ensuring an angular displacement of the legs equal and opposite to that of the arms is combined with means for holding the arms, legs 30 and torso in resilient yielding alinement in the form of crossed springs of resilient material connecting arms and legs together.

18. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and,

legs, said arms and legs being pivotally mounted 35- on said torso, and spring means interconnecting saidarms and legs and tending to hold the three parts of the toy in predetermined relation .and causing successive angular movement of said arms and legs. 40

to saidbody member sha.l be substantially equal and opposite to that of the arm member, and means for resiliently holding said arm, leg and body members in predetermined relationship.

21. A figure toy comprising a torso, arms and 55 legs movably mounted on the torso, and means operatively' associated with the arms and legs for ensuring that the angular displacemeht of the legs relatively to the torso shall'be substantiallyequal and opposite to that of the arms and tendlog .to relatively'move said arms, legs and tor q out of a predetermined relationship; necting two of the. parts of the figure'to yieldingly and leg members movably mounted on saidbody ,member, and means operatively associated with a5 .s'aid arm and leg members for ensuring that the 22. A figure toy comprising a body member, arm

and body members toward a' predetermined rela- 7o tionship.

JOHN G. BAKER, 

